The Federal Government’s attempt to boost Nigeria’s sesame and cowpea exports is facing a severe crisis as increasing rejection rates threaten the nation’s standing in global markets. Despite repeated assurances, experts argue that lax enforcement of sanitary and phytosanitary standards has left Nigeria scrambling to meet international requirements.
At a Validation Workshop for the Baseline Study on the STDF 845 Project in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, admitted that Nigeria’s agricultural exports are at risk due to tightening restrictions from major importers, particularly Japan. She revealed that Japan, which buys 40% of Nigeria’s sesame exports, is considering a ban due to dangerous levels of pesticide residues.
“Nigeria is the world’s fourth-largest producer of sesame, yet our exports face increasing rejections due to excessive pesticide residues and microbial contamination. This is a direct result of poor regulation and weak enforcement of agricultural standards,” Oduwole said.
She also disclosed that Japan’s new pesticide residue limits, which take effect in March 2025, will drastically reduce acceptable paraquat levels from 0.05 ppm to 0.01 ppm—effectively barring much of Nigeria’s produce. The question remains: why has the government failed to act sooner?
**Regulatory Failure or Corporate Influence?**
Critics argue that Nigeria’s failure to enforce proper pesticide monitoring stems from deep-seated corruption and corporate influence in the agricultural sector. Farmers reportedly rely on outdated and dangerous pesticide practices, yet regulatory agencies like NAFDAC and NAQS have done little to enforce compliance.
“The government’s so-called interventions are merely reactive. Why weren’t these pesticide concerns addressed years ago? Who is benefiting from the continued use of harmful chemicals in our food supply?” asked an industry analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Nonye Ayeni, tried to downplay the crisis, instead boasting about Nigeria’s sesame export value, which stood at $463.8 million last year. However, experts warn that these figures will plummet if major markets like Japan and Europe impose bans.
“The issue isn’t about how much we’ve exported in the past—it’s about whether we’ll be able to export at all in the future,” said a frustrated exporter.
**The Economic Fallout: A Looming Disaster?**
Nigeria’s sesame industry, valued at $7.67 billion globally, is expected to grow at a slow pace of 2.3% annually until 2030. However, if rejection rates continue to rise, Nigeria could lose its position as the second-largest sesame exporter in Africa and third in the world.
Similarly, the cowpea market, currently worth $7.6 billion, faces uncertainty despite Nigeria being the world’s largest producer. Farmers and exporters worry that the government’s sluggish response will leave them struggling to find alternative markets.
Oduwole insists that the government is taking steps to address the crisis, including setting up a national traceability system and improving agricultural standards. However, many remain skeptical, pointing to years of failed promises and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
With rejection rates climbing and Nigeria’s agricultural reputation on the line, industry stakeholders are asking a pressing question: Will the government finally enforce real change, or will another key export sector collapse under poor regulation and mismanagement?
